Akin to Admiral Mike Mullens recurring erratic anti-Pakistan tirades related to the Afghan conflict, the Americans suffered from a chronic 'irresponsibility syndrome in 1948 and created an illegitimate State for European Jews. Israel is a unique country, its centuries-old natives comprising Palestinian Christians and Muslims are denied residential rights, whereas Jews from all over the world can walk in as citizens. The natives were pressurised to sell their lands, while the strangers were and still are facilitated through settlements. Millions of non-Jew Palestinians, cutting across the religious divide, are living as refugees in the adjoining countries and beyond waiting to return to their homeland. The Balfour Declaration of 1917 implanted the European mass of Jew people on the Asian soil; the natives were deceitfully and brutally evicted. So, it was not the sons of the soil who had opted for the Israeli State, but it is the State that is trying to constitute its citizenry by wooing foreigners. However, Israel has never been more isolated earlier. Its Embassy in Egypt has recently been attacked; and another close ally - Turkey - has taken a hostile line. Moreover, the serial crumple of pro-American Arab regimes has decimated USAs leverage in the Middle East, which is, indeed, a bad omen for Israel. It seems that the Palestine-Israel peace process is a dead end venture, aimed at gaining time for mushrooming Israeli settlements. With its security and expansion guaranteed by the US, Israel could prolong the negotiations for another 63 years without ceding anything meaningful. Direct peace talks with Israel ran aground late last year in an obstinate dispute over Jewish settlements. Therefore, sidestepping the peace process, Palestine has decided to approach the UN for its legitimate right of statehood, mainly to discard the myth of negotiating with Israel as an unequal partner. But Israel strongly opposes this option, maintaining that negotiations are the only way to resolve the conflict and establish a Palestinian State. Just a year ago, President Barack Obama made it known at the General Assembly that by next year Palestine could be a free nation member sitting at the UNO. The Israelis and others directly engaged in peaceful dialogue with the Palestinians reinforced similar overtures at various international forums and talks. Now by following the Security Council route for seeking full UN membership, Palestine has called the bluff of Israel and the US; America is likely to emerge as a non-honest peace broker." But the Palestinians know it well that statehood with full UN membership will not be achieved overnight and it is a long road. Going the Security Council route makes any immediate action very unlikely. The acceptance of the resolution needs nine votes with no veto; betting nine votes is an uphill task and avoiding American veto may be impossible. Furthermore, the request may be referred to a technical committee for consideration. This process may be drawn out well beyond the General Assemblys ceremonial part of the session. Nevertheless, a resolution would eventually end up with the UNGA during the current session, where it would win overwhelming backing. All the while the Palestinian leadership continues to retain the option of General Assembly route to upgrade its status as 'Non-member State. Whenever a formal request is processed, the Assembly is likely to approve the Palestinian State based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The resolution would easily muster the prerequisite number of 128 votes. Israel has upped the ante by threatening to cancel the Oslo Agreement. Indeed, the agreement had no prospects for Palestinian statehood. But if its (Israels) rigidity goes unchecked, Binyamin Netanyahu may take Israel back to the pre-Camp David peace accord. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, however, stated that his group will continue to support the establishment of a Palestinian State on any part of historical Palestine, and would not seek to disrupt the UN bid. There is no mandate for any Palestinian leadership to infringe on Palestinian national rights, nor is there a mandate for any Palestinian actor to make historic concessions on Palestinian land or the rights of the Palestinians, foremost among them (is) the right of return.......We repeat today that we are with the establishment of a Palestinian State on any liberated part of Palestinian land that is agreed upon by the Palestinian people, Haniyeh explained. Meanwhile, Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad said that the potential recognition of a Palestinian State by the UN should only be a step forward for Israels disappearance. The recognition of an independent Palestinian government is not the ultimate goal.(but) only a step forward for the full liberation of the Palestinian land, said Ahmadinejad at the Tehran University. The Arab League has also supported Palestines decision to seek full-member status. While addressing the UNGAs ongoing session, President Obama said: One year ago, I stood at this podium and called for an independent Palestine. I believed then, and I believe now, that the Palestinian people deserve a State of their own. But what I also said is that a genuine peace can only be realised between the Israelis and the Palestinians themselves.......I am convinced that there is no shortcut to the end of a conflict that has endured for decades.......Peace will not come through statements and resolutions at the United Nations.......Ultimately, it is the Israelis and the Palestinians - not us - who must reach agreement on the issues that divide them: On borders and on security, on refugees and Jerusalem. Ultimately, peace depends upon compromise among people who must live together.......And that is and will be the path to a Palestinian State - negotiations between the parties....America's commitment to Israel's security is unshakeable. Our friendship with Israel is deep and enduring. This shows that Obama has clearly ignored that - if history is any reference - no objective oriented agenda can ever be concluded by the Israeli-Palestinian negotiators on their own. The Palestine issue can be resolved politically. However, not many global politicians are keen to settle it; many like Obama only pay lip service. But Palestinian state is an obligation long overdue for the comity of nations. The global community of nations should support the resolution calling for an independent State of Palestine with full UN membership. Once it is recognised by the UN, it could resume negotiations with Israel over all outstanding issues as an equal partner. Entities like OIC, NAM and OAU need to put in a conjoined effort in this regard. The first test of mettle shall be faced by the non-permanent members of the Security Council Conflicts like Afghanistan, Kashmir and Palestine continue to tease the collective conscience of mankind in a typical 'catch me if you can style. The people of Pakistan stand shoulder to shoulder with their Palestinian brothers in their just struggle for statehood - a state with full UN membership. The writer is a retired Air Commodore and former assistant chief of air staff of the Pakistan Air Force. At present, he is a member of the visiting faculty at the PAF Air War College, Naval War College and Quaid-i-Azam University. Email:khalid3408@gmail.com